Building Strong Churches (Eph 4:1-6:23)

The Church: The Power To Grow (4:1-)

THE PATTERN OF A UNIFIED CHURCH: DISASSOCIATION - The Life Of The Church

Ephesians 4:17-32

Reading: 2Co 6:14-18

Songs: Hand In Hand With Jesus

Themes:

INTRODUCTION

A. According to a Gallup poll, 74% of the American public claims to have made a commitment to Jesus Christ. 34% say that they have been born again. But statistics for unethical behavior, crime, immoral activity, and such for this group are as high, even higher than for the general populace. One man asked, "Why is today’s church so weak? Why are we able to claim so many conversions but have less and less impact on our culture?”

B. Part of the reason is because many Christians many Christians have developed a "bar code mentality" about what it means to be a Christian, and it has made them indistinguishable from the world. The bar the scanner doesn’t look at the contents of the package to ensure that it does indeed contain the item for which its price has been set. If somehow the stickers were switched on the items before you went through the check out the scanner wouldn’t know the difference. All it’s interested in is what the bar code says is in the package.

C. Many have the understanding that if they just do what the Bible declares is necessary to become Christian, they are assured that the bar code in a sense, is in place, and that then they are free to do as they please. They don’t consider the commitment to God’s word that continues to be necessary. [adapted _[2] ]

D. We have examined “THE PLEA FOR A UNIFIED CHURCH: DEDICATION - Conduct of the Church” (Eph 4:1-6). We then examined “THE PLAN FOR A UNITY IN THE CHURCH: DEVELOPMENT - Resources of the church (Eph 4:7-16). Now let’s examine THE PATTERN OF A UNIFIED CHURCH: DISASSOCIATION - The Life Of The Church.

I. THE EXPECTATION OF A NEW APPROACH TO LIFE (4:17-24).

Negatively: Not The Old Life Out Of Christ

A. ... walk not as other Gentiles walk ... (4:17-19).

KJV

17 ¶ This <5124> I say <3004> (5719) therefore <3767>, and <2532> testify <3143> (5736) in <1722> the Lord <2962>, that ye <5209> henceforth <3371> <0> walk <4043> (5721) not <3371> as <2531> <2532> other <3062> Gentiles <1484> walk <4043> (5719), in <1722> the vanity <3153> of their <846> mind <3563>,

18 Having the understanding <1271> darkened <4654> (5772), being <5607> (5752) alienated <526> (5772) from the life <2222> of God <2316> through <1223> the ignorance <52> that is <5607> (5752) in <1722> them <846>, because <1223> of the blindness <4457> of their <846> heart <2588>: {blindness: or, hardness}

19 Who <3748> being past feeling <524> (5761) have given <3860> <0> themselves <1438> over <3860> (5656) unto lasciviousness <766>, to <1519> work <2039> all <3956> uncleanness <167> with <1722> greediness <4124>.

Textus Receptus

17 touto <5124> {D-ASN} oun <3767> {CONJ} legw <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-<1>S} kai <2532> {CONJ} marturomai <3143> (5736) {V-PNI-<1>S} en <1722> {PREP} kuriw <2962> {N-DSM} mhketi <3371> {ADV} umav <5209> {P-<2>AP} peripatein <4043> (5721) {V-PAN} kaywv <2531> {ADV} kai <2532> {CONJ} ta <3588> {T-NPN} loipa <3062> {A-NPN} eynh <1484> {N-NPN} peripatei <4043> (5719) {V-PAI-<3>S} en <1722> {PREP} mataiothti <3153> {N-DSF} tou <3588> {T-GSM} noov <3563> {N-GSM} autwn <846> {P-GPN}

18 eskotismenoi <4654> (5772) {V-RPP-NPM} th <3588> {T-DSF} dianoia <1271> {N-DSF} ontev <1510> (5752) {V-PXP-NPM} aphllotriwmenoi <526> (5772) {V-RPP-NPM} thv <3588> {T-GSF} zwhv <2222> {N-GSF} tou <3588> {T-GSM} yeou <2316> {N-GSM} dia <1223> {PREP} thn <3588> {T-ASF} agnoian <52> {N-ASF} thn <3588> {T-ASF} ousan <1510> (5752) {V-PXP-ASF} en <1722> {PREP} autoiv <846> {P-DPM} dia <1223> {PREP} thn <3588> {T-ASF} pwrwsin <4457> {N-ASF} thv <3588> {T-GSF} kardiav <2588> {N-GSF} autwn <846> {P-GPM}

19 oitinev <3748> {R-NPM} aphlghkotev <524> (5761) {V-RAP-NPM} eautouv <1438> {F-<3>APM} paredwkan <3860> (5656) {V-AAI-<3>P} th <3588> {T-DSF} aselgeia <766> {N-DSF} eiv <1519> {PREP} ergasian <2039> {N-ASF} akayarsiav <167> {N-GSF} pashv <3956> {A-GSF} en <1722> {PREP} pleonexia <4124> {N-DSF}

1. Paul called on the Gentile brethren to live differently from the unconverted Gentiles, who would not allow Christ to direct their lives.

a. Paul was pointing out that though Christians live in this world, they are not to live “as other Gentiles,” that is, worldly people.

b. Paul described some of how worldly people live:

(1) “in the vanity of their mind”

(a) vanity, 3153. mataiothv MATAIOTES mat-ah-yot’-ace; from 3152; inutility; figuratively, transientness; morally, depravity:— vanity.

from 3152; TDNT-4:523,571; n f AV-vanity 3; 3 1) what is devoid of truth and appropriateness 2) perverseness, depravity 3) frailty, want of vigour

(b) These experience an empty, meaningless and therefore, frustrated life.

(2) “Having the understanding darkened” - their minds were warped, perverted and debased. They would not accept the restraints of a godly life (cp. Rom 1:21-23).

(a) “being alienated from the life of God”

(b) “through the ignorance”

i) Worldly people often consider themselves people of higher thinking; their thinking above God’s word,.

ii) Paul pointed out their reality of such people in reference to the Bible (Rom 1:22).

(3) “past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness”

(a) The lives of such people are dominated by lust, as we see nearly everywhere we look in our society.

(b) Having lost the feel of guilt such people readily give themselves to such activities as adultery, fornication, immodesty, in dress and speech and indecent behavior.

2. Those who give themselves to improper and abusive drug use, to fornication, who pollute their minds with filth, who covet the things of this world, are without “hope, and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12).

3. That would include Christians who give themselves to such behavior.

4. Many people and sadly, many who claim they are Christians, walk and talk like the lost Gentiles (Psa 1:1).

a. A young boy caught a sparrow and decided to teach it to talk like a parrot. He put in a cage already inhabited by three parrots and waited. After a day or so he checked by and found that the sparrow had learned a thing but the 3 parrots were now chirping like a sparrow (1Co 15:33).

b. There is a reason we’re urged in the scriptures to remain faithful.

c. Each of us needs to assess whether or not our worldview, our philosophies for life, our values and what motivates us, betray us as lost Gentiles.

5. It is of paramount importance that we walk and talk as those in Christ.

Positively: The New Life In Christ

B. ... ye have not so learned Christ ... If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him ... (4:20-24).

20 But <1161> ye <5210> have <3129> <0> not <3756> so <3779> learned <3129> (5627) Christ <5547>;

21 If so be that <1489> ye have heard <191> (5656) him <846>, and <2532> have been taught <1321> (5681) by <1722> him <846>, as <2531> the truth <225> is <2076> (5748) in <1722> Jesus <2424>:

22 That ye <5209> put off <659> (5641) concerning <2596> the former <4387> conversation <391> the old <3820> man <444>, which <3588> is corrupt <5351> (5746) according <2596> to the deceitful <539> lusts <1939>;

23 And <1161> be renewed <365> (5745) in the spirit <4151> of your <5216> mind <3563>;

24 And <2532> that ye put on <1746> (5670) the new <2537> man <444>, which <3588> after <2596> God <2316> is created <2936> (5685) in <1722> righteousness <1343> and <2532> true <225> holiness <3742>. {true…: or, holiness of truth}

20 umeiv <5210> {P-<2>NP} de <1161> {CONJ} ouc <3756> {PRT-N} outwv <3779> {ADV} emayete <3129> (5627) {V-<2>AAI-<2>P} ton <3588> {T-ASM} criston <5547> {N-ASM}

21 eige <1489> {COND} auton <846> {P-ASM} hkousate <191> (5656) {V-AAI-<2>P} kai <2532> {CONJ} en <1722> {PREP} autw <846> {P-DSM} edidacyhte <1321> (5681) {V-API-<2>P} kaywv <2531> {ADV} estin <1510> (5748) {V-PXI-<3>S} alhyeia <225> {N-NSF} en <1722> {PREP} tw <3588> {T-DSM} ihsou <2424> {N-DSM}

22 apoyesyai <659> (5641) {V-<2>AMN} umav <5209> {P-<2>AP} kata <2596> {PREP} thn <3588> {T-ASF} proteran <4387> {A-ASF} anastrofhn <391> {N-ASF} ton <3588> {T-ASM} palaion <3820> {A-ASM} anyrwpon <444> {N-ASM} ton <3588> {T-ASM} fyeiromenon <5351> (5746) {V-PPP-ASM} kata <2596> {PREP} tav <3588> {T-APF} epiyumiav <1939> {N-APF} thv <3588> {T-GSF} apathv <539> {N-GSF}

23 ananeousyai <365> (5745) {V-PPN} de <1161> {CONJ} tw <3588> {T-DSN} pneumati <4151> {N-DSN} tou <3588> {T-GSM} noov <3563> {N-GSM} umwn <5216> {P-<2>GP}

24 kai <2532> {CONJ} endusasyai <1746> (5670) {V-AMN} ton <3588> {T-ASM} kainon <2537> {A-ASM} anyrwpon <444> {N-ASM} ton <3588> {T-ASM} kata <2596> {PREP} yeon <2316> {N-ASM} ktisyenta <2936> (5685) {V-APP-ASM} en <1722> {PREP} dikaiosunh <1343> {N-DSF} kai <2532> {CONJ} osiothti <3742> {N-DSF} thv <3588> {T-GSF} alhyeiav <225> {N-GSF}

1. Though Paul pointed out “in time past ye walked according to the course of this world” Christians have been taught to live differently (vs 20-21).

a. There are some who act as though what Christians do in the body does not matter, as long as they are at the assemblies and claim to love Jesus.

b. However, there is more to wearing the name of Christ then just professing his name (cp. Mat 7:21-23; Php 3:18-19).

2. Though the worldly generally live as animals, without shame and controlled by self-serving attitudes, Christians, if taught Christ properly, are to have put away from them living as those who live without consideration of God’s judgment (v 22).

3. When our minds are renewed to God’s will then a change in life should come as a result (v 23-24).

a. The new life, renewal or spiritual growth we seek doesn’t come from just following a new set of rules or from giving up the building of one group for yet another group.

b. Individual renewal or growth comes from the change on the inside which takes place by putting God’s word into effect in our lives (cp. Mat 4:4).

(1) The Psalmist declared that with God “is the fountain of life” (Psa 36:9).

(2) God created man (Gen 1:27) and God created man to find his life in serving God (Mat 4:10).

c. With a proper understanding of our purpose in life, and directing ourselves toward it, we are free to seek to glorify God through our lives while directing others to Jesus by our example.

d. Is that what your life is doing?

4. If the example of Christian living doesn’t begin with each on of us (especially with parents and other adults), how can we expect to influence others to living properly (1Co 15:58)?

Transition: The scriptures don’t leave us with out a proper understanding of how to properly live.

II. THE ETHICS OF A NEW APPROACH TO LIFE (4:25-32).

New Activity

A. Wherefore ... (4:25-28).

25 Wherefore <1352> putting away <659> (5642) lying <5579>, speak <2980> (5720) every man <1538> truth <225> with <3326> his <846> neighbour <4139>: for <3754> we are <2070> (5748) members <3196> one of another <240>.

25 dio <1352> {CONJ} apoyemenoi <659> (5642) {V-<2>AMP-NPM} to <3588> {T-ASN} qeudov <5579> {N-ASN} laleite <2980> (5720) {V-PAM-<2>P} alhyeian <225> {N-ASF} ekastov <1538> {A-NSM} meta <3326> {PREP} tou <3588> {T-GSM} plhsion <4139> {ADV} autou <846> {P-GSM} oti <3754> {CONJ} esmen <1510> (5748) {V-PXI-<1>P} allhlwn <240> {C-GPM} melh <3196> {N-NPN}

1. Considering what he had already written, Paul pointing out that the new approach to life is a truthful life (v 25).

26 Be ye angry <3710> (5744), and <2532> sin <264> (5720) not <3361>: let <1931> <0> not <3361> the sun <2246> go down <1931> (5720) upon <1909> your <5216> wrath <3950>:

27 Neither <3383> give <1325> (5720) place <5117> to the devil <1228>.

26 orgizesye <3710> (5744) {V-PPM-<2>P} kai <2532> {CONJ}